soccer

Two North Shore business owners, Trish Neufeld and her brother David Smyth (at bottom, right and left), were given a night to remember when they bumped into David Beckham and his son at a pub in Dublin. (David Smyth/ Facebook)

Chance encounter sees B.C. duo partying with soccer legend David Beckham

North Vancouver pair get some unexpected company at their table in a Dublin bar

  • Mar 9, 2023
Two North Shore business owners, Trish Neufeld and her brother David Smyth (at bottom, right and left), were given a night to remember when they bumped into David Beckham and his son at a pub in Dublin. (David Smyth/ Facebook)
Canadian Press

Former Olympian Charmaine Crooks appointed Canada Soccer’s interim president

Order of Canada winner fills the void left by Nick Bontis, who resigned Monday amidst turmoil

Canadian Press
Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CONCACAF unveils 2026 World Cup qualifying format with co-host Canada on sidelines

Three co-hosts will qualify automatically for the expanded 48-team field

Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis resigns, says change is needed

A bitter labour dispute has plagued both the women’s and men’s Canadian teams for months

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Sergio Cordova, right, runs past head coach Vanni Sartini during the team’s practice in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, February 21, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

‘This could be the year we achieve something:’ ‘Caps confident ahead of new season

Vancouver Whitecaps aim to get off to a solid start this year, after finishing strong last season

Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Sergio Cordova, right, runs past head coach Vanni Sartini during the team’s practice in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, February 21, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Major League Soccer has expanded its playoff format with two extra teams from each conference making the playoffs and an expanded first round featuring best-of-three series. Los Angeles FC players hoist the trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Union to win the MLS Cup soccer match Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Marcio Jose Sanchez

Major League Soccer revamps and expands post-season format for 2023

Top 7 conference teams make playoffs, 8th and 9th will play wild-card match to join them

Major League Soccer has expanded its playoff format with two extra teams from each conference making the playoffs and an expanded first round featuring best-of-three series. Los Angeles FC players hoist the trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Union to win the MLS Cup soccer match Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Marcio Jose Sanchez
Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan (1) grabs the ball as she stops a shot by Brazil during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer match Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Brazil defender Kathellen (3) leaps over Sheridan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Zaleski
Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan (1) grabs the ball as she stops a shot by Brazil during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer match Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Brazil defender Kathellen (3) leaps over Sheridan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Zaleski
Daniel Mazey sets up the cones for his attempt to beat the Guinness Book of Records world record for the fastest 20-cone slalom dribbling a soccer ball. Each cone had to be exactly 50 cm apart. Photo by Terry Farrell

VIDEO: B.C. man shatters Guinness record for slalom soccer dribbling

Daniel Mazey celebrated his 36th birthday in unique fashion: by setting a…

Daniel Mazey sets up the cones for his attempt to beat the Guinness Book of Records world record for the fastest 20-cone slalom dribbling a soccer ball. Each cone had to be exactly 50 cm apart. Photo by Terry Farrell
U.S. forward Trinity Rodman (5) and Canada forward Adriana Leon compete for the ball during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Canadian women shows effects of off-field labour distractions in 2-0 loss to U.S.

The top-ranked Americans came out hot and had their way with a ragged Canada

U.S. forward Trinity Rodman (5) and Canada forward Adriana Leon compete for the ball during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Canada women’s national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman pauses while responding to questions after an announcement, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Small gesture casts big shadow as Canadian players train ahead of U.S. showdown

Labour dispute tnsion at the forefront as women set to face top-ranked U.S. at the SheBelieves Cup

Canada women’s national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman pauses while responding to questions after an announcement, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Sophie Schmidt (20) breaks away from New Zealand’s Ria Percival (2) during first half Celebration Tour soccer action in Montreal, Tuesday, October 26, 2021. An emotional Schmidt announced today she will retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Canadian women frustrated, disheartened by ongoing labour dispute with Canada Soccer

‘This could be our most important fight that we ever have as national team players’

Canada’s Sophie Schmidt (20) breaks away from New Zealand’s Ria Percival (2) during first half Celebration Tour soccer action in Montreal, Tuesday, October 26, 2021. An emotional Schmidt announced today she will retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
The Canadian team players prepare for a women’s international friendly soccer match against Argentina in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. As promised, the Canadian women’s soccer team return to training Sunday in Florida. But they did so reluctantly after Canada Soccer threatened legal action if they continued their job action. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Juan Carlos Toro del Rio
The Canadian team players prepare for a women’s international friendly soccer match against Argentina in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. As promised, the Canadian women’s soccer team return to training Sunday in Florida. But they did so reluctantly after Canada Soccer threatened legal action if they continued their job action. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Juan Carlos Toro del Rio
Players of Canada pose with their gold medals after defeating Sweden in the women’s final soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The Canadian women’s soccer team has slammed Canada Soccer, saying it is “outraged and deeply concerned with the news of significant cuts” to national team programs for 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Andre Penner

Ongoing labour dispute boils over as Canadian soccer teams slam Canada Soccer

Both men’s and women’s teams have been embroiled in labour talks for months

Players of Canada pose with their gold medals after defeating Sweden in the women’s final soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The Canadian women’s soccer team has slammed Canada Soccer, saying it is “outraged and deeply concerned with the news of significant cuts” to national team programs for 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Andre Penner
Canada’s Andrea Neil (5) jogs off the field after the international friendly soccer match against Germany in Burnaby, B.C. Thursday Sept. 1, 2005. A former captain of Canada’s women’s soccer team is calling for the federal government to launch a full judicial inquiry into abuse in sports across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chuck Stoody

Soccer star Andrea Neil calls for judicial inquiry into sports abuse in Canada

Nothing can change until we turn the lights on and reckon with where we are

Canada’s Andrea Neil (5) jogs off the field after the international friendly soccer match against Germany in Burnaby, B.C. Thursday Sept. 1, 2005. A former captain of Canada’s women’s soccer team is calling for the federal government to launch a full judicial inquiry into abuse in sports across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chuck Stoody
Wrexham’s Tom O’Connor celebrates scoring against Sheffield United during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales, Sunday Jan. 29, 2023. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Ryan Reynolds goes through range of emotions in FA Cup match

‘I’m now so much in love with this sport that I actually hate it.’

Wrexham’s Tom O’Connor celebrates scoring against Sheffield United during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales, Sunday Jan. 29, 2023. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps defenders Mathias Laborda, front left, and Karifa Yao participate in a drill during the opening day of the MLS soccer team’s training camp, in Vancouver, on Monday, January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Personnel questions linger as Vancouver Whitecaps kick off training camp

Vancouver looks to avoid repeat of last year’s bad start after narrowly missing playoffs

Vancouver Whitecaps defenders Mathias Laborda, front left, and Karifa Yao participate in a drill during the opening day of the MLS soccer team’s training camp, in Vancouver, on Monday, January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A flower arrangement sent by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva lays arrive for the wake of late Brazilian soccer great Pele as he lies instate at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Brazil prepares to bury legend Pelé in city he made famous

‘He made (soccer) important for Brazil and he made Brazil important for the world’

A flower arrangement sent by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva lays arrive for the wake of late Brazilian soccer great Pele as he lies instate at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Bob Lenarduzzi, left, and Sam Lenarduzzi, right, with the legendary Pele. (Submitted photo)
Bob Lenarduzzi, left, and Sam Lenarduzzi, right, with the legendary Pele. (Submitted photo)
FILE - Brazil’s Pele wears his national team’s jersey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 25, 1962. Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died in Sao Paulo on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. He was 82. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Brazil’s Pele wears his national team’s jersey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 25, 1962. Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died in Sao Paulo on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. He was 82. (AP Photo, File)
Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Sea of people try to catch glimpse of Argentina soccer team

Thousands lined the highway, many waving Argentine flags as team headed to dowtown Buenos Aires

Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)